From 2014 to 2016, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) reported around 800 car crashes per year on Interstate 10 (I-10) between Lafayette and Baton Rouge, which also includes accidents involving semi trucks. While figures detailing the precise number of accidents involving trucks on I-10 are few and far between, you do not have to look far to find stories of tragic trucking accidents on the cross-country roadway.
There are a few reasons Interstate 10, and interstates may produce a high number of accidents.
Interstates May Be Extremely Dangerous
Certain features of interstates may make them more prone to accidents. Some interstate features that may generally apply or pose a danger to drivers’ and passengers’ physical safety include:
- High speed limits and higher potential for speeding
- Sections of interstates that run through rural areas, which tend to have higher maximum speed limits than urban interstates and are more statistically prone to motorist deaths, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
- A smaller margin of error due to high speed limits
The above characteristics may apply on interstates other than Interstate 10, but there are some features of I-10’s stretch through Louisiana that make it dangerous, especially for large trucks.
Of special note is the stretch of I-10 between Lafayette and Baton Rouge, sometimes referred to as the “Devil’s Triangle” by those who are aware of its high accident rate. Some features of this stretch of I-10 that may make it especially dangerous for truckers and other vehicles include:
- The Horace Wilkinson Bridge, which stretches across the Mississippi River and causes traffic to slow down significantly or come to a stop
- The emergence of rush-hour traffic in Baton Rouge’s stretch of I-10, which can cause further traffic congestion than would normally arise
- The presence of Louisiana State University (LSU) near multiple stretches of I-10, including the Horace Wilkinson Bridge
Those who drive on Interstate 10 may also be susceptible to the danger of drunk drivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Louisiana falls above national averages in rates of drunk driving across all age groups. I-10’s stretch of road near the LSU campus may be particularly susceptible to drunk drivers:
- After sporting events
- On weekend nights
- During seasonal activities such as Mardi Gras or spring break
Add in the presence of at least one bridge on I-10, and the interstate becomes a hotspot for danger.
For a free legal consultation, call (337) 777-7777
Semi Truck Drivers Have a Major Responsibility
Semi trucks may weigh tens of thousands of pounds, and so their potential to cause destruction to property and human beings is great. Such trucks often travel at high speeds along interstate roads, and I-10 is no exception.
In addition to their size, trucks can become dangerous on the road if:
- Drivers and truck owners do not maintain a truck’s physical condition
- Drivers fail to abide by industry drive time limits
- Drivers use drugs or consume alcohol before or while driving
- Drivers do not remain vigilant to changing road conditions, such as a slowdown in traffic
When large truck drivers fail to take the precautions necessary to prevent accidents, the result can be:
- Significant property damage, including totaled vehicles
- Serious injury
- Death
If you or your loved one was injured in a truck accident on Interstate 10 or any other road, you may have reason to bring a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
A Lawyer Can Help You Pursue Justice
People who decide to bring legal action against an at-fault driver may choose to employ the services of a truck accident lawyer in Lafayette. If you choose to do the same, you can expect your lawyer to:
- Gather the facts and evidence surrounding your accident
- File your case in the appropriate court as soon as possible
- File all of the required paperwork and motions, and take all other legal steps necessary to complete your lawsuit
- Represent you through settlement negotiations and, if necessary, a trial
- Argue your case that you were the victim of negligence
- Defend your rights
You may be entitled to various forms of compensation if you or your loved one was injured or killed because of a truck accident on I-10 or elsewhere.
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Call Our Team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
Our attorneys serve the Lafayette and Alexandria districts in Louisiana and call the state their home. We will fight for justice on your behalf. Call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation.
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